Latest news with #AfriqiyahAirways
Libya Review
10-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Libya's Afriqiyah Airways Faces Bankruptcy
Libya's national airline, Afriqiyah Airways, is facing an unprecedented crisis that has pushed it to the brink of bankruptcy. The airline is grappling with severe financial mismanagement, operational paralysis, and escalating employee protests, all of which threaten to shut it down entirely. As of July 2025, nearly all of Afriqiyah Airways' fleet remains grounded. Only two Boeing 737 aircraft are still operating, both plagued by technical issues due to unpaid insurance premiums and poor maintenance. The airline's inability to meet basic operational costs reflects its deepening financial crisis, which has been worsened by allegations of corruption and misuse of funds within its leadership. The crisis escalated sharply on July 6, 2025, when hundreds of employees, supported by union leaders, organized a peaceful protest in Tripoli demanding the immediate dismissal of the airline's board of directors. Workers accuse the leadership of administrative corruption, reckless financial decisions, and secret attempts to sell company assets without transparency. Among the most serious allegations is the leasing of an unqualified Jordanian aircraft for $1.6 million and the questionable misallocation of $21 million received from Turkish Airlines, reportedly used for unauthorized purposes outside of agreed maintenance programs. Union leaders have called for a full independent investigation into these financial violations. They have appealed directly to Libya's Prime Minister and the Minister of Transportation, demanding the dissolution of Afriqiyah Airways' holding company and its transfer to direct government oversight to restore accountability and prevent the airline's collapse. The unions warn that the airline's downfall would not only impact its employees—over 1,600 Libyan families depend on it—but would also deal a devastating blow to Libya's already fragile aviation and tourism sectors. Most of Afriqiyah's flights have already been canceled or indefinitely suspended, damaging its reputation and leaving passengers stranded. The broader impact could destabilize Libya's connectivity with regional and international markets, further weakening its economy. The collapse of Afriqiyah Airways would leave Libya without a functional national carrier, widening the gap in North Africa's aviation market. The airline's crisis reflects larger systemic issues in Libya's state-owned enterprises, which have long suffered from corruption, inefficiency, and political instability. The coming weeks will be critical. Without decisive government action—through leadership changes, financial restructuring, and strict oversight—Afriqiyah Airways is likely to slide into insolvency, leaving Libya's aviation industry and economy facing long-term damage. Tags: Afriqiyah AirwaysBankruptcyFinancial Crisislibya
Libya Review
06-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Review
Libya's Afriqiyah Airways Employees Demand Urgent Reform
Employees of Libya's Afriqiyah Airways staged a peaceful protest in Tripoli, demanding the immediate suspension of the current Board of Directors, accusing it of leading the company toward imminent collapse due to years of financial mismanagement, administrative corruption, and a lack of vision. In a statement issued during the demonstration, the employees expressed deep concern over the airline's deteriorating situation, citing mounting debts, suspended flight operations due to unpaid insurance fees, and major losses in revenue and destinations. They warned of a total shutdown if swift action is not taken. Current Crisis and Key Issues The statement highlighted severe challenges facing the company, including: Suspension of most aircraft operations Accumulated debts and inability to meet operational obligations Suspicious financial decisions and unexplained expenditures, resulting in massive losses Ignored reform calls by employees and unions, with some staff even receiving threats for exposing internal violations Staff Demands Protesters outlined four urgent demands: Immediate suspension of the current Board and appointment of a new qualified, non-partisan management team with proven aviation experience, tasked with preparing a time-bound recovery strategy. Swift investigation into financial and administrative violations reported to the Minister of Transportation, Attorney General, and regulatory bodies, with full accountability for those responsible for harming the airline and public funds. Immediate halt to any plans to sell company assets or lease aircraft. Dissolution of the Libyan Afriqiyah Airways Holding Company and placing Afriqiyah Airways directly under the Ministry of Transportation's supervision. Employees Vow Escalation The employees stressed that their actions are driven by sincere efforts to save the national carrier, warning that failure to meet their demands would lead to an open-ended strike until reforms are enacted and responsible parties are held accountable. They issued an urgent appeal to Libya's Prime Minister and Minister of Transportation, urging immediate intervention to rescue the airline, which provides income for over 1,600 Libyan families and serves as a critical pillar of the country's aviation sector. Tags: Afriqiyah AirwayslibyaProtests
Libya Observer
05-07-2025
- Business
- Libya Observer
Afriqiyah Airways Unions warn of imminent company collapse due to mismanagement
Unions at Afriqiyah Airways have warned of the imminent collapse of the company due to what they described as mismanagement and gross financial violations. They called on official authorities to intervene urgently. Heads of the general unions, engineers, and ground operations unions stated that all aircraft have been taken out of service, except for two aircraft that are vulnerable to breakdown or maintenance at any time. They also stated that insurance has been withdrawn from the company, training activities have been halted, an attempt has been made to sell assets, and suspicious transactions worth millions of dollars have been conducted, without any expenditure on maintenance. The union heads at Afriqiyah Airways confirmed that they had submitted a detailed complaint to the Attorney General, the Administrative Control and Anti-Corruption Authorities, the Audit Bureau, and the Ministry of Transport regarding the financial violations. They called for a comprehensive and urgent investigation, the suspension of the powers of the current board of directors, and the formation of a new, competent, and honest board to restore the company's stability. The unions had submitted complaints to parliamentary, oversight, and government bodies, demanding an investigation into the prolonged grounding of five Airbus aircraft without justification, the lease of an unqualified Jordanian aircraft for $1.6 million, and the disbursement of $21 million from Turkish Airlines outside of maintenance plans.
Libya Observer
17-06-2025
- Libya Observer
First group of Libyan pilgrims returns from Hajj
The first group of Libyan pilgrims arrived at Mitiga International Airport on Sunday evening, returning from Hajj. The pilgrims were transported on an Afriqiyah Airways flight and were received at the airport by service, medical, and security teams who provided the necessary assistance, according to the airport's official Facebook page. In a statement, the General Authority for Hajj and Umrah Affairs noted that the pilgrims praised the level of organization and support they received throughout their pilgrimage. A total of 7,887 Libyan pilgrims performed Hajj this year. News Tagged: hajj
Libya Observer
25-05-2025
- Libya Observer
Pilgrims safe after aircraft skids off runway at Al Abraq Airport
A commercial aircraft carrying Libyan pilgrims experienced a runway excursion during take-off at Al Abraq International Airport, prompting delays but no injuries, officials confirmed. The incident involved a plane operated by Afriqiyah Airways, which veered slightly off the runway before take-off due to adverse weather conditions. In a statement, the airline denied rumours that the aircraft had taken off and been forced to return due to a technical fault. 'All passengers are safe and in good condition,' the airline said, adding that efforts are underway to resume the journey to Saudi Arabia "as soon as possible," while following all required safety protocols. Authorities at Al Abraq Airport confirmed the flight had been postponed for several hours. Passengers were transported to temporary accommodation at a youth hostel in the town of Shahat, where they await a replacement aircraft to continue their journey to Jeddah. News Tagged: labraq airport
